NHS tests before private IVF

[BlueberrySquash]

Hi all,

After years and years of trying with all the usual plus more unusual approaches (clomid, psychotic obsession with temping, Chinese medicine, 'get Prego' cookbooks etc) we are now preparing for self-funded IVF as our county doesn't offer any IVF on the NHS. Which is fine.

I have unexplained infertility - anticipating a fairly standard first cycle of IVF.

I have my last NHS appointment this week with the fertility clinic and I want to know if I can ask for any specific tests that a private clinic (probably Reprofit in Brno) will need me to pay for otherwise. I've had everything you can think of but over a couple of years and I know they'll need to be more current.

This isn't about milking the NHS but in my last appointment my doctor seemed genuinely keen to help (we missed funded IVF by one month due to when we moved across county boarders and it went to a hearing) so if I can ask for practical help I will.

I have addled my brains looking at posts about this so I am sorry this is a common question. I don't know anyone in real life in this position so this is partly a reach out for a bit of companionship as well!

Thanks xx

[tigerdog]

I think it's so unfair that your county doesn't fund IVF and I think the NHS still has a duty of care to ensure you've been properly investigated before you spend thousands on IVF. I would want to have had diagnostic procedures such as a hsg or a hysteroscopy to check for tube blockages. Other tests that clinics usually want to be up to date include Sperm, AMH, thyroid, HIV and hepatitis. If you get in touch with some of the clinics abroad, they will almost certainly get back to you promptly with a detailed list of pre-treatment testing. I think Reprofit wanted some of them even before the first Skype call so definitely worth asking them.

[Twickerhun]

I had the day 3 and day 21 bloods, with a full blood count. Also had a hcg and dildo cam. DH had sperm tests. All on NHS before private ivf (at reprofit). We were not entitled to ivf on the NHS due to age. My gp arranged all the above.

[RavingRoo]

Even if you go private, the clinic will want you to do the full battrey of tests on the NHS. You can do them prior, or they can refer you prior to treatment. Sometimes this might even include Clomid.

[JoJoSM2]

I don't think they would want you to do tests on the NHS as they can do them themselves.

I don't know how good your local NHS is, but we actually did lots of initial tests privately abroad. They were able to do a whole batch of the, in a day and the results were almost instantaneous. The costs was a small fraction of what you'd pay in the UK so I am not sure if it's worth going through the NHS as it can be very time consuming and disorganised (in my experience anyway).

[BlueberrySquash]

Ladies thank you so much! That's a really helpful range of responses and generally just lovely to hear back from you.

I've had all of those tests in the last three years but little feedback/information and they lost my HSG so I totally know what Jojo is saying.

Food for thought - I hadn't considered the efficiency option. I am going to mull this all over but I really am grateful for your replies. Makes me feel not so alone

X

[Twickerhun]

Blueberry - reprofit weren't worried by the hcg as ivf bypasses issues with tubes

[Twickerhun]

Hcg? HSG!

[BlueberrySquash]

Ohhhh of course! Good point!

[blue2014]

It might be worth asking Reprofit? I went there and we had all the NHS tests but it turned out my Amh was really low and had never been tested by NHS. Reprofit charged £17 for it at the time (done after egg collection when I only produced 3 eggs)

That's worth knowing as it may change what medication dose you are given.

Reprofit also do a sperm technique called picsi which is worth trying for the extra £200


You could ask GP if they would be willing to prescribe any meds (apparently some do) once Reprofit send your protocol?

[Scottishgirl85]

Hi. We cycled with Reprofit very recently. If you email them they'll send you the questionnaire that shows you all the tests you need before they can design your protocol. They need to be quite recent so you'll likely have to repeat the ones you have had. My GP did all of them including scan and bloods and sperm test for husband. The only one the nhs can't do is amh. I had this done privately for £39. I didn't specifically tell the GP it was for private ivf. I just said I'd like fertility investigations and nudged her to include the ones I needed. Sounds like your GP is very supportive which is great. Good luck x

[yikesanotherbooboo]

Where I live you can have basic tests eg day 2and day 21 bloods/ semen analysis done Nhs even if treatment might be private but specific tests eg amh has to be paid for. Find out from the clinic what they want and how up to date the results should be and the show your gp and see which can be done via nhs

[topcat2014]

We are in the same Circs. DW having (I think) three tests, and I am doing semen analysis this week.

Again, expecting to pay due to age etc, but having NHS tests.

[RavingRoo]

Well my clinic has just referred me back to th NHS to repeat a couple of tests.